ARB Linx Review

[JimmyC Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close JimmyC]

G'day all,
I have recently had an ARB Linx system installed into my 2019 GXL and here are my initial impressions. I bought the system for a few reasons. Firstly I liked the ability to combine all of the accessory switches into one unit which is portable, Once my other accessories are installed i should be able to do things like turn my exterior lights on and off from anywhere around camp. The other reason is it replaces the need for an aux battery gauge and TPMS display (patch coming around Oct). I should also be able to load in HEMA maps and other 4wd apps.
Below are the negatives I learned about the system. Some are generalised to the Linx overall and others are Prado specific.

Prado-Linx interface
The Prado and linx don't talk well in regards to light pickup. This is a known issue about high beam pickup etc. For those who don't know the Linx system can be set to turn on and off accessories with both low and high-beam. In theory you can set your UHF (for example) to turn on when your low beams are on. With the canbus system the Linx will only recognise accessory power and high beam. There is no low-beam only option. So for most people, me included, this is not an issue as i cannot think of any accessory i would want to come on with low beams only. The issue comes with the Linx and the auto-darkening feature. The linx display will stay bright with the low beams on and only dim with the high beams. The app also has some software writing that overrides the displays own internal settings so playing with the displays settings is useless. I have had some luck with removing permissions for the app but if anyone else could share any tips?

Mounting:
The Linx in the Prado sits high. I suppose i could get used to it but and it is not in my vision at all (sits with A pillar behind it) but with the new VDU laws in the NT and QLD I am possibly playing with matches...
ARB was unable to find anywhere under my dash to fit the unit resulting in in being mounted on my drawers between the drawers and the 2nd row seats. Personally I like the location but in reality I will no longer be able to re-install my 3rd row without major re-wire of the system.

https://i.postimg.cc/mrWCnm1g/20190704-115438.jpg

Overall I am still in two minds about the system and only time, and a few more accessories will tell.

[Beggsta Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Beggsta]

I have had my ARB Linx system for about 6 weeks and have just returned from a trip through Cape York. My experience with each of the functions in order of usefulness below:

1. ARB air compressor control - just fantastic. You simply connect the air hose, set the pressure you want (both up and down) and it just happens. We had two cars and a camper trailer and changing air pressures multiple times a day to suit conditions for ten tyres at a time was almost enjoyable.

2. ARB fridge monitor - great. For the newer ARB fridges it gives you full control from the drivers seat without any wiring required. Can turn off/on, set the temperature and it shows the temperature history so you can check if something has gone wrong overnight. Can also do a second fridge/freezer.

3. Battery voltage monitor - good. Simply gives you a live reading for up to three batteries. I have the main, second and camper. Good to make sure all is well, but it is not a replacement for a battery monitoring system. No history, amp readings or estimate of battery life. Maybe something for a future upgrade? Only shows voltage at terminals, so cannot differentiate between actual battery charge status and charge voltage being applied.

4. GPS functions - ok. Provides android level device readings on speed, elevation and direction. Probably not as accurate as the HEMA X1 we were also using but also handy around town if your Speedo is out.

5. Inclinometers - ok. Need to be set up properly and my Kakadu has the dreaded lean so did not really use at all. Easily influenced by cornering, acceleration and braking, so hard to get good feel of actual position of the vehicle.

6. Electrical switches - jury is out. Linx, driving lights and Kakadu wiring don’t play well together. No auto headlights or auto high beam without loosing track of whether the driving lights are actually on or not. Don’t currently have any other accessories connected.

7. Air lockers/air suspension - none connected so no comments.

7. Date/time - never used

8. ARB TPMS - still waiting for module to be released. Desperately hoping it is much much better than the plug in ARB TPMS reading unit.

[Beggsta Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Beggsta]

ARB Linx system has been updated to version 1.6 with a couple of key improvements. I have updated my comments on each of the functions in order of usefulness below. Now there are more useful modules, the challenge is being able to access these whilst driving. Would be good if a future update automatically scrolled through each one, rather than needing to swipe the screen.

1. ARB air compressor control - No changes. You simply connect the air hose, set the pressure you want (both up and down) and it just happens. When we went to Cape York we had two cars and a camper trailer and changing air pressures multiple times a day to suit conditions for ten tyres at a time was almost enjoyable.

2. ARB TPMS. Finally the unit for this function has arrived. The standalone cigarette plug TPMS unit when used with a trailer was simply terrible. Now you can connect each individual tyre directly to Linx. Up to four tyres and two spares each for the main vehicle and up to three seperate trailers (total of 24 tyres). You no longer need the trailer repeater unit (not even sure how you could still use it with Linx). Set up was straightforward, with the only hitch being that you may need to repeat the set up for one or two tyres if the system gets a signal from multiple tyres at once. Screen will show both vehicle and trailer at the same time. Switching between trailers and even switching sensor locations if you rotate tyres or use a spare is really simple. You can also set four different tyre pressure conditions for the vehicle and each trailer (eg highway, gravel, off road, sand). The readings for each tyre comprise pressure, temp and a battery alert. My key gripes that should be possible to fix in a future update are:
- you cannot see the data for the spare tyres. You have to wait for a pressure drop/battery alert to occur. That being said, it picked up a low pressure on my vehicle spare and a low battery on one of my camper tyres immediately.
- you can only set one pressure alert for the spare tyres across the three trailers. This can be a challenge if you have higher pressures for camper/caravan spare than say your box trailer spare.
- the pressure and temp values on screen are smallish, so can be hard to read when glancing at whilst driving.

3. ARB fridge monitor - minor cosmetic changes. For the newer ARB fridges it gives you full control from the drivers seat without any wiring required. Can turn off/on, set the temperature and it shows the temperature history so you can check if something has gone wrong overnight. Can also do a second fridge/freezer.

4. Battery voltage monitor - Good improvements. In addition to giving you a live reading for up to three batteries, it now also lets you see a graph of voltage for each battery over periods of 6, 12 & 24 hours. I was immediately able to use the graphs to confirm that my second battery was stuffed. It also attempts to give show you the remaining battery life. Early days but the remaining life does not seem to be very reliable. Good to make sure all is well, but it is not a replacement for a battery monitoring system. No amp readings and only shows voltage at terminals, so cannot differentiate between actual battery charge status and charge voltage being applied.

5. GPS functions - no change. Provides android level device readings on speed, elevation and direction. Probably not as accurate as the HEMA X1 we were also using but also handy around town if your Speedo is out.

6. Inclinometers - on change. Needs to be set up properly. Easily influenced by cornering, acceleration and braking, so hard to get good feel of actual position of the vehicle.

7. Electrical switches - Only change is you can now use icons for each accessory (eg shows picture of driving lights). Linx and latest Prado model wiring don’t play well together for using driving lights and auto headlights or auto high beam without loosing track of whether the driving lights are actually on or not. Don’t currently have any other accessories connected.

8. Air lockers/air suspension - none connected so no comments.

9. Date/time - never used

[RodC120 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close RodC120]

Thanks for the update and detailed info Beggsta

[RodC120 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close RodC120]

Does anyone have pricing plus cost to fit the Linx?

[srowlandson Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close srowlandson]

Does anyone have pricing plus cost to fit the ?

ARB list all their prices and rough fitting costs:
https://www.arb.com.au/site/wp-conte...lPriceList.pdf

Main unit $800

Pressure control for the compressor $250. im also getting the Air Suspension kit and the additional kit to make each bag independent. Should be fitting it in the next few weeks.